Product Information File

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Product Information File (PIF)

What is a PIF?

A Product Information File – or PIF for short – is a mandatory document required by the EU cosmetics regulation for all cosmetic products placed on the EU market. The purpose of the PIF is to capture key safety information about the cosmetic.

Contents of a PIF

The PIF must contain specific information, including the product’s ingredients and quantities, lab test certificates, and safety data sheets. It must also include packaging mock-ups, as well as any post-marketing adverse reactions.

Responsible Person & PIF

The PIF should be held on file by the Responsible Person and be available to the authorities should they request it. The PIF should be updated with any changes to the product characteristics and safety information, among other things.

List of requirements

  • Description of the product
  • CPSR (signed by the cosmetic assessor)
  • Any declarations including GMP statement & no animal testing
  • Manufacturing Process Flow chart
  • MSDS, CoAs & IFRA statements
  • Product Specification
  • Stability & compatibility test report
  • Micro test report
  • Challenge test report (if required)
  • Evidence to support marketing claims
  • Packaging material specification
  • Label mock up
  • Photos of the product
  • Complaints & adverse reaction log

On file for 10 years

The Responsible person must keep the PIF for a period of 10 years following the date of the last
batch released on to the market. The PIF must be readily accessible in electronic in a language easily understood by competent authorities. This can be either the language native to the authority making the request or English.

FAQ

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